Gordonsville Market Owner Charged with Tax Evasion and Theft

Nashville, Tenn. - The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue conducted the investigation that led to Monday’s arrest of Joseph Yousef, 34, on charges of sales tax evasion and theft.  Yousef was arrested by Special Agents of the Department of Revenue at his business in Gordonsville, Tenn.  Bond was set at $15,000.

On October 17, the Smith County Grand Jury indicted Yousef on one Class E felony count of sales tax evasion and one Class C felony count of theft over $10,000.  The indictments charge that Yousef collected sales tax from customers at Hunter’s Market, and he failed to remit sales tax due of $24,522.53 from October 2011 through December 2012.

If convicted, Yousef could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in the state penitentiary and fined up to $3,000 for sales tax evasion and up to six years and a $10,000 fine for theft.

"The Department of Revenue promotes voluntary taxpayer compliance by educating taxpayers, aggressively pursuing criminal sanctions and demanding accountability when taxpayers engage in fraudulent activity," Revenue Commissioner Richard Roberts said. "This investigation underscores the Department's ongoing efforts to enforce Tennessee's tax laws."

This case is being pursued criminally by the Department in cooperation with District Attorney Tom Thompson’s office.  Citizens who suspect violations of Tennessee's revenue laws should call the toll-free tax fraud hot line at (800) FRAUDTX (372-8389).

The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws and the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department collects about 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2013 fiscal year, it collected $11.7 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $2.2 billion in taxes and fees for local governments.  To learn more about the Department, visit www.TN.gov/revenue.

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